50 Most Influential Business Women of the UAE 2026 – Finance World Powerlist

Linda Fitz-Alan joined the ADGM Courts as Registrar and Chief Executive in September 2015 and has since positioned the institution as a global leader in judicial innovation and technology-driven dispute resolution. She oversees the administration and operations of the courts, including the development of its advanced digital services and the pioneering eCourts Platform, which has transformed access to legal services in the region. 

Ludmila Yamalova is Founder and Managing Partner of HPL Yamalova & Plewka FZCO (LYLAW), a Dubai-based law firm she established in August 2009. With over twenty years of legal practice experience, including fourteen years in Dubai and eight years in Silicon Valley, California, she brings extensive international expertise to her practice. Yamalova holds a Juris Doctorate in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Texas School of Law and a Master’s degree in European Union Law from Université Paris X Nanterre.

Her Excellency Dr. Maryam Matar is the Founder and Chairperson of the Emirates Genetic Diseases Association, where her pioneering work has advanced the UAE’s legislation for pre-marital screening, preventive genetic testing, and genetic disorder prevention. She has positioned the UAE as a recognized global contributor to genetic research and innovation through her development of the UAE Genetic Map Project.

Mona Ataya is a pioneering entrepreneur and the founder of Mumzworld, the Middle East’s leading mother and child e-commerce platform. Under her leadership, Mumzworld scaled rapidly to become the region’s most trusted and transactional platform for millions of mothers, offering the widest catalog and serving over 20 countries across MENA. Mumzworld became one of the most funded women-led e-commerce businesses in the Arab world and the first female-founded digital company in the region to achieve a successful exit. 

Mona Kattan is the founder of KAYALI Fragrances and one of the most influential figures in the global beauty industry. Known as the “Perfume Princess,” she transformed her lifelong passion for fragrance into an internationally recognized luxury perfume brand inspired by Middle Eastern heritage and the art of scent layering. 

Nada Taryam is the Chief Real Estate Officer and Director of Civil and Architectural Projects at BEEAH Group, one of the UAE’s leading environmental management and sustainability pioneers. Through her leadership, Nada Taryam has contributed to projects aligned with BEEAH’s long-term vision of transforming Sharjah into one of the most sustainable cities in the Middle East, with a strong focus on environmental responsibility, innovation, and community well-being.

Nadia Zaal is Founder and CEO of Zaya Group, a boutique developer specializing in high-end real estate and hospitality. Known for her visionary approach, she blends sustainability with luxury to create iconic developments that harmonize nature with modern living, redefining luxury real estate in the region. Zaal co-founded Zaya in 2008 and has led the creation of groundbreaking projects including Nurai Island, featuring the region’s first floating solar plant, and ZUHA.

Nadine Halabi de Francesca is Head of Business Development and Operations at the Dubai Business Women Council, where she has served since August 2011. Through her leadership, the council has strengthened its position as a key platform supporting women-led enterprise in the UAE, while evolving its programs to meet the demands of a digital and innovation-driven economy. Her tenure has focused on developing member-centric initiatives that combine practical business support with emerging technologies and digital transformation.

Nadine Mezher is the Co-Founder and CEO of NAWA, where she drives innovation across emerging technology and digital business ecosystems. She also serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Board Director of Sarwa, one of the region’s pioneering hybrid fintech investment platforms, focused on making wealth management more accessible to digitally driven investors. At Sarwa, Mezher shapes the company’s strategic positioning, customer engagement, and digital growth initiatives.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi is one of the UAE’s most influential government and business figures, recognised as the first woman in the country’s history to hold a ministerial position. In November 2004, she was appointed Minister for Economy after previously leading the UAE’s newly merged economy and planning portfolio. Her appointment marked a significant milestone for women’s leadership in the region and reinforced the UAE’s commitment to inclusive governance and economic development.

Najla Al Midfa is a trailblazer in the UAE’s entrepreneurial landscape, known for championing youth empowerment and inclusive innovation. As Vice Chairperson and former CEO of Sheraa, she transformed Sharjah into a thriving hub for startups and social enterprises. Since 2016, Sheraa has supported over 150 startups, raising more than $130 million and generating hundreds of jobs. Najla spearheaded key initiatives like the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival and Sheraa Accelerator, benefiting over 18,000 entrepreneurs. 

Naeema Ahli serves as the CEO of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), an organisation founded in 2006 to strengthen the role of Emirati women in the workforce and enhance their leadership and professional capabilities. Naeema Ahli joined the organization in 2008 and was appointed CEO in April 2024, reflecting her long-standing contribution to advancing women’s empowerment initiatives across the UAE.

Noor Sweid is a pioneering venture capitalist and Founder of Global Ventures, a leading Dubai-based firm investing in innovative startups across healthtech, fintech, edtech, and enterprise tech. With a background as CIO at Dubai Future Foundation and successful exits like Depa’s billion-dollar IPO and ZenYoga, she combines strategic capital with hands-on support to help startups scale globally. Noor is a vocal advocate for inclusive economies and women’s leadership, frequently speaking at global forums.

Naima Al Falasi is a senior strategy and transformation executive with more than two decades of experience across sovereign investment, financial services, technology, and entrepreneurship. She currently serves as Senior Vice President – AI Strategy & Transformation at Mubadala Investment Company, where she drives AI-led strategy, portfolio alignment, and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives that enhance investment decision-making and operational performance.

Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi serves as Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she advances the UAE’s diplomatic agenda through cultural engagement, international cooperation, and strategic bilateral relations. Her work reinforces culture, education, and creative industries as pillars of national soft power and global engagement. She has received international honours, including the Chevalier of the French Order of the Legion of Honour, the French Order of Merit, and the Ghanghwa Medal from the Republic of Korea.

Ola Doudin is the Co-Founder and CEO of BitOasis, one of the leading digital asset platforms in the Middle East and North Africa. A serial entrepreneur and blockchain advocate, she has played a significant role in advancing cryptocurrency adoption and fintech innovation across the region. With a background in finance and economics, Ola Doudin spent more than a decade working in the banking and financial services industry before launching BitOasis, combining her expertise in financial systems with emerging blockchain technologies.

Rachel Conlan is Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, driving the company’s global marketing strategy and brand campaigns as it reinforces its standing as the world’s most trusted cryptocurrency brand. She oversees global and regional teams, developing innovative campaigns to bring new entrants to crypto and facilitate mainstream adoption. Before joining Binance, Conlan held senior leadership roles at leading global organizations, demonstrating exceptional expertise in brand strategy and partnership development. 

Raja Al Mazrouei is the CEO of Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE’s federal export credit agency, where she champions trade growth and economic diversification. With over two decades of experience in finance and digital innovation, she previously led DIFC’s FinTech Hive, elevating it into a top fintech hub. At ECI, she drives digital transformation, expands risk solutions for exporters, and boosts SME participation in global markets. Raja is also a strong advocate for gender equity and leadership inclusion, mentoring women in finance and tech.

Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg is Chairperson and Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, a leading UAE conglomerate with interests in retail, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate. She is a pioneer in family business governance, industrial diversification, and women’s leadership. Under her guidance, the group has grown sustainably with a strong focus on innovation and corporate responsibility. Dr. Al Gurg actively promotes transparency, succession planning, and Emirati women’s empowerment.

Rasha Al Danhani is an Emirati entrepreneur widely recognized for founding PappaRoti, a popular café brand she introduced to the Middle East. She discovered the concept during a trip to Malaysia in 2008 and launched the first PappaRoti outlet in Dubai Mall in July 2009. Under her leadership, the brand expanded rapidly to become an international café chain with a presence across multiple global markets.

Renuka Jagtiani is Chairwoman of Landmark Group, one of the Middle East’s largest retail conglomerates spanning fashion, electronics, wellness, and hospitality. Since joining in the early 1990s, she has driven strategic growth, digital transformation, and sustainable retail practices, positioning the group as a market leader across the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Renuka champions innovation, customer-centricity, and inclusive workplace culture. 

Rola Abu Manneh serves as CEO of Standard Chartered Middle East and Pakistan, following the expansion of her leadership role in April 2024. She has played a key role in strengthening the bank’s regional presence and advancing financial innovation across the Middle East and South Asia. In November 2024, Standard Chartered partnered with Wise Platform to enhance multi-currency money transfer services across Asia and the Middle East, supporting faster and more accessible cross-border transactions.

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar is the Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Circle, where she leads the company’s regional strategy and expansion across digital finance and blockchain-powered financial infrastructure. Based in the UAE, she plays a key role in advancing innovation and adoption within the evolving digital asset ecosystem across high-growth markets.

Safa Bouzidi-Leterme is Managing Director of Wealth & Asset Management at Daman Investments, leading the full commercial and operational agenda with a 50-person team across investment management, product platforms, distribution, and development. Under her leadership at Daman, she has architected the UAE’s first onshore feeder fund service in partnership with AllianzGI and major local banks. She co-designed the region’s first Voluntary End of Service pension scheme in collaboration with the CMA and MOHRE, setting a regulatory precedent for the UAE market.

Sameera Fernandes is Chief Executive Officer of Econova Global, where she leads the company’s mission to redefine growth by strategically integrating sustainability across investments and management. She focuses on pioneering innovative solutions that transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities for global partners, driving value toward a net-zero future. Fernandes is also Chairperson of the Stockbrokers and Investment Services Business Group at Dubai Chambers.

Samia Bouazza is Chief Executive Officer of 2PointZero (formerly Multiply Group PJSC), leading the company’s strategic development, its growing investment portfolio of high-return businesses, and sustainable growth of the Group’s subsidiaries. A significant milestone in her leadership is being the first woman to take a company public on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange, marking a landmark achievement in the regional capital markets.

Her Excellency Dr. Sania A. Ansari is Chairperson and CEO of Ansari Group Ltd, a global consulting firm operating across Canada, the UAE, and serving clients in over 90 countries. Since May 2017, she has led the organization’s strategic direction, providing consulting, digital technology, and operations services across oil and gas, defence, capital investment, infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy, and other key sectors.

Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri serves as the UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and holds several influential leadership positions shaping the country’s scientific and technological future. She has served as the Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, the Emirates School Establishment, and is part of the Emirates Scientists Council, while also leading initiatives linked to advanced technology, innovation, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Sarah Cooper is Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Education, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aldar Properties. Since assuming the role in 2018, she has led the company’s expansion into Abu Dhabi’s leading education provider and the UAE’s second largest operator. Under her leadership, Aldar Education has driven strategic acquisitions, digital innovation, and sustainability initiatives across its portfolio. The company has strengthened its position as a significant contributor to Aldar Properties’ overall business performance and growth trajectory.

Shaista Asif is the Cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Group, one of the largest integrated healthcare platforms in the region. Since cofounding the company in 2006, she has overseen the expansion of its extensive healthcare portfolio, which today includes more than 110 hospitals, 316 clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, health insurance services, and healthtech investments. Under her leadership, PureHealth manages a global workforce of more than 65,000 employees and has expanded beyond the UAE into markets across the Middle East, the U.K., the U.S., Greece, and Cyprus.

Sonia Gokhale is Cofounder and General Partner at VentureSouq, a MENA-focused venture capital firm headquartered in the UAE. Since cofounding the firm in 2013, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s early-stage investment landscape. Under her leadership, VentureSouq has grown into a prominent venture capital platform focusing on high-growth technology sectors across the Middle East and North Africa. The firm backs innovative startups in fintech, climate tech, and enterprise solutions, leveraging disciplined investment strategy and strong regional networks to enable entrepreneurial growth.

Sophie Doireau-Tiberghien is CEO of Cartier for the Middle East, India, Africa, and Türkiye, driving the brand’s growth across diverse markets. With a marketing degree from Saint Louis University and experience starting at AESTHETE, she expertly balances Cartier’s heritage with innovative strategies tailored to regional needs. Under her leadership, Cartier has expanded through flagship boutiques, experiential retail, and digital transformation. 

Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi is the UAE’s first female Emirati aircraft engineer and a pioneering force in aviation. She built her expertise in the UK before working with Emirates and Etihad Airways, contributing to key projects including the Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal. As a founder of Women in Aviation Middle East, Suaad mentors and inspires thousands of young women to pursue opportunities in STEM and aviation. CEO of Learn to Live consultancy and winner of several national awards, her leadership continues to empower youth, break barriers, and champion women’s advancement across the region.

Tabinda Sanpal has built a career defined by financial innovation, cross-border expertise, and a strong commitment to expanding access to modern financial solutions across emerging markets. With an academic foundation in Business and Finance from the United Kingdom, she developed an early understanding of international capital markets, structured financial products, and investment strategy.

Tayba Al Hashemi is the CEO of ADNOC Offshore, overseeing nearly half of Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas production. With a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from UAE University, she has more than 20 years at ADNOC, rising through key roles in exploration and field development. Appointed CEO of ADNOC Offshore in 2023, she is the first woman to lead an ADNOC operating company. Tayba manages over 7,000 professionals and leads major projects like offshore electrification to cut carbon emissions. She chairs the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and serves on ADNOC and UAEU boards.

Dr. Zulekha Daud, Founder and Chairperson of Zulekha Healthcare Group, is a trailblazer in UAE healthcare and a symbol of compassionate leadership. Arriving in Sharjah in 1964 as the first female Indian doctor in the UAE, she built community trust through dedication and care, earning the affectionate title “Mama Zulekha.” In 1992, she established Zulekha Hospital, which grew into a regional healthcare network serving over 550,000 patients annually. Her legacy spans affordable medical care, women’s empowerment, and public health advocacy.